Last year, fans were stunned when Joey Chestnut—the most dominant figure in competitive eating—was banned from the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. The reason? He signed a deal with a plant-based brand that wasn’t Nathan’s.

This wasn’t about performance, safety, or fairness. It was about sponsorships. And it set a dangerous precedent.

Athletes should be able to compete based on skill, not corporate contracts. Personal endorsements shouldn’t be used to lock people out of the very competitions they helped make famous. These events exist because of the athletes who train, perform, and entertain fans every year.

Joey Chestnut is back for 2025, and a favorite to win, but the issue hasn’t gone away. That’s why we’re calling on Major League Eating and event organizers to create clear, fair rules that protect athletes’ right to compete—regardless of who sponsors them.

If you believe sports should be about performance, not politics, sign this petition and stand with the competitors who make these traditions worth watching.